Chapter One: From the Ashes
"Decepticons, attack! The future of Cybertron rests on your shoulders!" Shockwave peeked his purple helm out of the tower and gazed into the darkened sky. In the orbit of Cybertron was the mighty chaos bringer, Unicron. Shockwave turned and attempted to flee the defensive structure as the orange titan grasped it with his enormous claw. Unicron effortlessly crushed the tower, along with its occupant. Satisfied, the chaos bringer flung the debris into the far reaches of space...
"Constructicons. Assistance required." The six green decepticons sat huddled up in a circle, sharing a single energon cube. "Soundwave? What do you want? You can't have any, if that's what you're after!" Scrapper told the tall blue mech, as his comrades muttered in agreement. Soundwave shook his helm. "Negative. Scraps unnecessary. Assistance required. Follow me.".
The Constructicons giggled. "You're not the boss! Galvatron is! Frag off!". Soundwave stood still for a moment and coldly stared into Scrapper's visor. "Last chance. Comply." "Your bolts too tight or something? Frag off, you slagchewing aft-biter, or we'll trash you!". Soundwave silently lifted his rifle and blasted the energon cube in the centre of the group.
Startled, the gestalt team crawled onto their pedes and faced the former communications officer. "What the frag?" "You got a problem?" "We'll bust you!" "You're gonna pay!". Soundwave laughed and turned his back. "Follow me. There will be more energon. You will see." Scrapper rubbed his mouthplate with his servo and sighed. "Alright, guys. Guess we've got nothing to lose. Let's follow him."
The seven Decepticons shuffled their pedes through the cold wastelands of Chaar. "Hey, Soundwave! Where are we going?" "Cybertronian debris scattered across Chaar. Constructicons needed for excavation." "Excavation? What do you think we are, a set of tools?" Soundwave ignored the question and led the green mechs through the twisted mountains and the rocky paths, until they came to a valley filled with rusted machinery and shattered infrastructure.
"Dig." "We don't take orders from you! Alright, boys... Let's see what we can find!" The Constructicons scattered about the ruins, using their altmode vehicles to assist the excavation effort. Soundwave paced around the dig site, observing the work of his enlisted servants. Suddenly, an excited Scavenger piped up. "Soundwave! Soundwave, I found something!" The telepathic mech leisurely strolled over to the green power shovel. "Soundwave! My sensors have detected a strange source of energy within this debris. I... I think it's a mech!"
Soundwave twitched with a rare burst of excitement. "Well done. Show me." Scavenger tore through the wreckage as his teammates gathered around in anticipation. The power shovel continued, until he revealed a battered, shattered purple frame. The mech's plating had been crushed and lay in pieces. His distinctive optical sensor held deep cracks, and his helm fins were hanging loose from their sockets. The purple mech's digits were snapped, and his cannon's barrel was twisted into a mangled spiral. The Decepticon's chassis was split and dented, with vital components spilling out like some kind of cream filling.
The telepathic officer brushed Scavenger aside and lifted the scrap heap from the messy debris.
"Whoa!" "Wow!" "Amazing!" The gestalt team cheered as Soundwave held and inspected the broken mech. "Analysis... Shockwave discovered. Long Haul. Prepare for transport." Long Haul heavily cycled his intakes and rolled over to the cold Decepticon officer. "Load him up..." The telepath dumped Shockwave's busted carcass into the back of the dump truck. "Decepticons, return to shelter." "But, sir! What about the rest of the wreckage! There could be mo-" "Negative. Current discovery takes top priority."
Scrapper shrugged his shoulderplates and gave the signal to return to headquarters. Soundwave crawled into the dump truck and examined the many fragments of Shockwave as the gestalt team raced back to the temporary Decepticon shelter.
The Constructicons pulled up to the "Decepticon Headquarters". It was a simple metallic structure, built from the burnt out ruins of Chaar. Soundwave gently carried the remains of Shockwave into the compound, followed by his six comrades. The blue telepath carried his prize down the warped halls of the base, stopping at a small dimly lit room. He stepped inside and placed his pile of wreckage on a large steel slab.
"Constructicons, prepare to repair!" Hook stepped into the room and began toying with the scrap on the rudimentary table. "Sir, you've got a way with words... But this is going to be tough. I'm not sure if we can revive the poor fragger, even with a full repair job." Mixmaster chuckled. "I might be able to whip something up... Hook, can you lead the operation?". Hook curled his lip components into a wicked smirk. "Of course! Who else could perform a delicate job such as this?"
Hook slowly pieced together Shockwave using the crude tools available while Mixmaster experimented with various concoctions in an effort to resurrect the fallen hero. Finally, after 11 orns, the crane succeeded in rebuilding the former military commander.
"Ha! All done. I told you I'd be able to do it! If anything, he looks better now." Hook laughed as he rubbed his servos together. Shockwave's frame lay ever so still on the steel operating table that he had laid on. Every crack filled, every scuff polished out. Despite the miraculous repair job, however, the purple mech still laid unconscious.
Soundwave quietly stepped into the room. "Inactive. Repairs insufficient." "Hey, my job was perfect! He just needs a little jolt, that's all... Wasn't Mixmaster coming up with something?" The cement mixer followed the blue mech into the room, gleefully laughing as he walked.
"Femmes! Gentlemechs! In my greasy servo, I hold the solution to our problem!" Mixmaster proudly lifted his bright green servo in the air, revealing a large glass flask. The flask was filled with a glowing, bubbling white liquid. Hook burst out in laughter. "What? You're gonna fix him with your transfluid? I knew you had a sick sense of humor, Mixmaster, but this is too much!". The cement mixer sneered and wagged his digit in the surgeon's face.
"Not transfluid, Hook. This is something special. I heard about it some time ago. Even had a sample to work with! Unfortunately, this stuff is hard to get. I had to bribe that stupid glitch Swindle into getting me a batch..." Soundwave roughly gripped Mixmaster's shoulderplate. "Enough talk. Use the concoction." Mixmaster groaned. "If you say so, Soundwave... If you say so."
The chemist poured the white liquid over the lifeless body of Shockwave. The strange chemical was quickly absorbed into the purple frame. A soft yellow glow appeared in the centre of the fallen hero's optical sensor, and the mech sputtered to life.
Running diagnostic testing...
Neural System... OK! Processor... ERRORCODE 6! Optical Sensor... OK! Audio Receptors... OK! Cabling... OK! Fuel Lines... OK! Weapon Systems... OK! Targeting Systems... ERRORCODE 4! Transformation Function... UNKNOWN ERROR!
!Processor damaged. Systems functional. Loss of memory expected!
!Targeting Systems require calibration!
!Transformation Function UNKNOWN ERROR! Variables UNABLE TO RESOLVE!
Power online. Spark status... Running as expected.
Fuel status... Running at 100% capacity.
Oh... Oh goodness. My processor aches. Where am I? I remember... Something big. Something orange...? Darkness... I must activate my optical sensor.
...Hook? Mixmaster? Soundwave? What madness is this? They're stationed on planet Earth, are they not? Logic would dictate that I've sustained some kind of grievous injury... "Soundwave! Where am I?" Soundwave... A good mech, though I'm not sure if I can trust him. "Planet Chaar." Chaar? "Chaar? What? Don't toy with me. What has happened to Cybertron? What has happened to me?"
"Cybertron devastated. Decepticons fragmented. Unicron is at fault. Megatron has fallen. Replaced by Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge." That cold stare. That cold, unshuttering stare. Soundwave does not play games like this... Logically, he'd have no reason to lie. But... Chaar? We've lost Cybertron? Megatron has fallen? I cannot allow this! "You suffered terrible wounds during battle against Unicron. You live once more, thanks to Constructicons."
At least I live... "Resurrecting me was a logical decision indeed. How did you manage it? I've noticed that I've not been fully repaired. My transformation function has suffered a... mysterious error." "Uh... If you'll give me a moment, I'll explain." Mixmaster. Soundwave entrusted my survival to... that thing? I'm surprised that my processor hasn't begun to melt. "As I was saying, Soundwave, this isn't any ordinary cure. This is a special solution! I'm not really sure where it comes from... It's called "Nucleon". Normally it's only available in small quantities, but I managed to add some of my own concoction to it! You know, to spice it up a bit."
"...Nucleon? Sounds familiar." Nucleon... I think I've heard of it. Some kind of miracle fuel from beyond the stars. I didn't realize it actually existed... "Nucleon isn't like any regular fuel. It increases strength, speed, stamina... As you can attest to, it can even raise the dead! There's a setback, though... Use of Nucleon permanently disables transformation."
Permanent? Wonderful. Just wonderful. I suppose its use was the only logical decision, after all. Besides... It's not all bad. I feel much stronger already... "Thank you for the help, Mixmaster. You too, Hook. Soundwave! Tell me about this... Galvatron."
"Galvatron unfit as a leader. Insane. A mere puppet for Cyclonus. Decepticon cause left behind. Galvatron cares not to rule. Only wishes to destroy. Ineffective... Inefficient... A blight on Decepticon army." No wonder we've lost Cybertron. We're being led by some nutcase! I cannot live by this... illogical rule. Something must be done about this... Galvatron. I'm not keen on this 'Cyclonus' fellow, either. Cybertron must fall under a rule of logic, not pointless destruction.
"Soundwave... Could we discuss this matter in private?" "Constructicons, leave." Ha! Only took a second for those tools to leave. At least they seem to understand how things work around here. Any being that listens to logic is a being I can side with. "I'd like to eliminate our new leadership, Soundwave. It is the only logical decision... You knew I'd feel this way when you resurrected me, didn't you? Should I assume that we have a mutual agreement?"
That cold stare. I don't know how he does it... "Of course. Constructicons and Combaticons share sentiments. Construction of shuttle almost complete." After that, he turned and left the room. Hmm. A shuttle... We're going to travel through space? Interesting...
Shockwave lifted himself from the table and followed Soundwave to the shuttle construction site. The Combaticons were lined up and standing side by side as they watched the Constructicons finish the space shuttle. "Nice to see you, Shockwave! I'm glad to see you're doing well." Onslaught reached out and shook servos with the purple mech. "Indeed. My revival is the beginning of a new era of Decepticons! Victory shall be ours! Will you follow me to victory?"
"Yes... as long as you let me command our troops!" Onslaught chuckled. "Oh, of course, Onslaught. It would be harder to find a better military commander than you. You are the only logical choice." Scrapper stepped out of the shuttle, followed by the rest of his team. "Hey, Soundwave! The shuttle is finished." "Don't tell me. Shockwave will be leading from now on." Scrapper stepped back and laughed. "Alrighty, then. Commander Shockwave? Would you like to name this fine craft?"
The newly christened Decepticon Commander gently rubbed one of his helm fins for a moment and prepared an answer. "Yes. The only logical choice for a name... Decepticons, prepare to board the Star Screamer for her maiden voyage!"
The Decepticons present laughed for a moment and boarded the newly crafted ship. Shockwave led his forces to the bridge of the shuttle. "Alright, then. Blast Off! You're in command of navigation. Soundwave, you're in charge of communications. Establish a link with Galvatron. I'd like to speak with him."
The Star Screamer lifted off into outer space as Soundwave began contacting the Revenge. The main screen at the centre of the poorly decorated bridge of the Star Screamer flickered with light as a link was established. Suddenly, the image of Galvatron splashed across the screen. "Who is this! Who dares contact the Revenge!"
"Sir! It's me, Shockwave! I've survived, and I am ready for duty!" Galvatron heartily chuckled. "Shockwave...? Oh, yes. I remember now. Welcome back, Shockwave! How are you contacting me? Where are you?" "We've managed to construct a ship of our own, my lord. It was the logical decision to make." "Logic! Who permitted you to do such a thing!" Galvatron slammed his steely fists against his console in a fit of anger, as Cyclonus approached him from behind. The icy blue Decepticon whispered directly into Galvatron's audio receptor for a moment.
Galvatron swiped his second in command with the back of his servo and turned his attentions back to the communicator. "Good job, Shockwave! I'd like you to patrol the area outside of Cybertron. Do not allow any Autobot ships to escape the atmosphere!" In a flash, the connection was terminated. Bonecrusher crossed his thick green arms and snarled. "That spikestroker hung up on us! Let's crush 'im!" Shockwave shook his helm. "There will be no crushing, Bonecrusher. Blast Off! Set a course for Cybertron! We'll comply with that rusted processor and his pleasurecon for the time being..."